The Child Safety Department (CSD), an affiliate of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) in Sharjah, has launched a research study in cooperation with the Research Institute of Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Sharjah to measure parental awareness of children’s safety and prevention of accidents at home.

The joint study follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SCFA and the University of Sharjah last week, to conduct joint research, studies, and consultations to aid in drafting development strategies for UAE families that would meet current and future needs of the community.

The agreement was signed by Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Director of CSD, and Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Sharjah, in the presence of H.E Dr. Khawla Al Mulla, Secretary-General of SCFA, and H.E Dr. Hamid Mjul Al Naimi, Director of the University of Sharjah

The study seeks to measure parents’ awareness of children’s safety at home and mechanisms to prevent accidents. It will aim to identify risks children face at home and shed light on existing laws and regulations aimed at protecting children from accidents resulting from neglect.

Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei stressed on the importance of conducting research and studies to keep pace with child-related issues and identify the actual needs of the community. She said: “The study is a significant step forward in CSD’s initiatives and programmes for the greater good of the family. It will provide a scientific reference for CSD and other educational and executive bodies in Sharjah and the UAE to assist them in formulating strategies and developing child safety awareness programmes.”

For his part, MaamarBettayeb, said: “Cooperation in the field of research with various institutions in the country is an important strategy of the University of Sharjah. The university focuses its research institutes and graduate students on studying various phenomena and issues across sectors including health, social, development, legal, economic, family and children’s issues, in addition to crime and media-related matters. We utilise all our resources in collaboration with our partners to effectively diagnose various community issues and facilitate evidence-based solutions and research outputs to help institutions make fully informed decisions and develop strategies that serve the community.”

Professor Fakir Al Gharaibeh, Acting Director of Research Institute of Humanities & Social Sciences at the University, lauded the partnership between the University of Sharjah and the Child Safety Department. He noted that this was the first such study into child safety at home and mechanisms to limit accidents involving children at home, and would cover social, psychological, and legal aspects, as well as the conformity of apartment units and design of homes adhering to safety requirements. Al Gharaibeh further added that the research team comprises a panel of multidisciplinary researchers from the institute.

The study will provide answers to critical questions, such as: the extent of child-related accidents in Sharjah; the different types of child-related accidents in Sharjah, and whether they differ according to the child’s age group; safety measures available at homes; parents’ awareness of home safety requirements; and if the level of awareness differed depending on education, region, nationality, gender, age group, and other demographic variables.

Methodology

The 12-month study will combine a quantitative and qualitative approach, selecting a representative sample of parents, citizens, and residents, across the emirate. Around 1,000 families will be surveyed as part of the study.